Elderly Kelowna woman dies following late night hit-and-run

An elderly Kelowna woman is dead and another in custody after a fatal collision police are now calling a hit-and-run.

Police announced Monday morning that a 71-year-old Kelowna woman, yet to be named, is in custody in connection with a late night crash. The woman, a contract driver for the Kelowna Daily Courier, was picking up bundles of papers from the mailroom at the time of the incident.

Little about the driver’s identity, other than what the Courier itself has released, is known.

At a press conference held Monday, police said on Nov. 23 at 1:13 a.m., the Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of an injured woman in the alley between the Courier and the McWilliams Centre located at 580 Doyle Avenue.

An 83-year-old Kelowna woman, who was believed to have been struck just minutes earlier, was found alone suffering from serious, extensive injuries. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition but did not survive.

“The victim has been identified as Julie Gillespie, 83,” said Const. Kris Clark, noting that Gillespie was walking home at the time of impact.

The investigation determined that the woman had been struck by a vehicle which failed to remain at the scene of the collision. Police subsequently identified a suspect and affected an arrest Sunday night.

The investigation is ongoing, said Clark, noting further information about what happened Sunday night will be available should the matter go to trial.

The 71-year-old Kelowna woman remains in custody and faces potential charges in relation to Failing to Remain at the Scene of an Accident. She remains in custody pending further investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.